How to Control Your Balance | Sales Contacts in the United States How to Control Your Balance Balance is vital to normal every day life activities such as getting out of a chair and walking, bending over to put your shoes on, washing your hair, driving a car or going grocery shopping. Just about everything you do in your daily life, whether for work or leisure requires balance control, and most of the time you don’t have to think about it. If balance problems develop, though, they can cause profound disruptions in your daily life. In addition to increased risk for falls, balance disorders can shorten your attention span, disrupt normal sleep patterns, and/or cause excessive fatigue. The balance control process Ability to maintain balance is a complex process that depends on three major components: (1) your sensory systems for accurate information about your body’s position relative to your environment; (2) your brain’s ability to process this information; and (3) your muscles and joints for coordinating the movements required to maintain balance. The sensory systems include your sense of touch (feet, ankles, joints), your vision and your inner ear motion sensors. For example, we rely on our feet and joints to tell us if the surface we are standing on is uneven or moving.

We rely on our eyes to tell us if the environment around us is moving or still. And we rely on our inner ears to tell us if we are upright or leaning, or standing still or moving. Balance SensorsNormally, balance control is accomplished “automatically” without requiring our conscious attention. When our balance “auto pilot” is disrupted, we have to exert intense conscious effort to try to overcome the abnormal sensations and maintain control of our balance. This intense effort, in turn, is what leads to the common secondary symptoms such as shortened attention span and fatigue. Loss of balance control In a normal healthy individual our senses of touch (feet, ankles, joints), sight (eyes) and inner ear motion sensors work together in harmony with the brain. A person with a balance disorder, however, may have a problem in any one of these systems, or in multiple systems. In some individuals, one or more of the senses are missing and the person does not realize they are losing their balance. In other people, the brain gets confused and creates an inaccurate sense of falling when in fact the person is in balance.

The risk of developing one or more of these problems increases with age as our senses or brain centers are exposed to degenerative or infectious diseases, or the effects of injuries accumulated over a lifetime. Inevitable? Is a loss of balance control an inevitable consequence of aging? No. The natural aging process produces changes in our bodies as we grow older, but these changes do not necessarily result in a loss of balance control or mobility. Healthy seniors are quite able to perform daily life activities normally with few physical limitations. In fact, recent studies have indicated that, elderly fallers are different from their healthy, age-matched counterparts1, 2, 3. Dizziness among older adults can also be caused by a collection of subtle degenerative or infectious processes or injuries that in combination result in a balance problem4. Some individuals experiencing balance problems have an obvious medical diagnosis such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, or even a stroke that are primary sources of the problem. In other individuals with balance difficulties, the cause can even be subtle undetected forms of these diseases. However, diseases are not the only reason our senses and movements may be compromised.

A history of injuries, such as concussions, ear infections, or serious sprains or fractures, may contribute to a loss of balance control over time. In addition, various combinations of medications, both prescription and over the counter, can be detrimental to our senses or brain and cause either temporary or permanent damage. Identifying and treating balance disorders Because of the complexity of balance control, not all balance problems are the same. As mentioned above, some individuals lack information from a sensory system and do not realize they are losing their balance, while for others, the brain gets confused and creates an inaccurate sense of being off balance. Because of the wide variety of balance problems, determining the cause of a balance disorder and what treatment options are the most appropriate can be difficult. In the last twenty years, however, there have been significant advances in evaluation and treatment approaches to balance disorders that have proven to be highly effective and offer relief to those suffering from imbalance or dizziness. There are also medical professionals and clinicians who are specially trained to apply these evaluation and treatment methods. Balance can be improved It is not uncommon for individuals with a history of balance problems to regain their balance control through accurate diagnosis followed by specific medical treatment and/or rehabilitation exercises. One famous example is astronaut John Glenn.

Following his historic space flights in the 1960’s, Glenn experienced balance problems that disqualified him from service. After a rehabilitation program, Glenn was able to return to space at the age of 77 and he performed as well as his younger colleagues. You can recover from balance disorders and regain your control. And you can do this even at an advanced age! If you are suffering from a balance disorder, it is important that you seek out medical professionals who are qualified in balance and mobility issues. Find a Specialist or visit our extensive list of Additional Resources . References: Horak, F.B., Shupert, C.L., & Mirka, A. (1989). Components of postural dys-control in the elderly: a review. Neurobiology of Aging, 10, 727-738. Whipple, R. & Wolfson, L.I. (1989). Abnormalities of balance, gait, and sensori-motor function in the elderly population. In Duncan, P.W. (Ed.), Balance: Proceedings of the APTA Forum, American Physical Therapy Association, Alexandria, VA, 61-68.

Lizardi, J.E., Wolfson, L.I. & Whipple, R.H. (1989).Neurological dysfunction in the elderly prone to fall. Journal of Neurological Rehabilitation, 3 (3), 113-116. Tinetti, et al (2000). Dizziness among older adults: A possible geriatric syndrome. Annals of Internal Medicine 132:337-403) Tinetti, M.E. & Speechley, M. (1989). Prevention of falls among the elderly. The New England Journal of Medicine, 320 (16), 1055-1059. How to Improve Your Balance in 3 Simple Steps | SparkPeople By Nicole Nichols, Fitness Instructor Hiking on a wooded trail. Riding a bike down the street. Doing crunches on a stability ball. Hitting the slopes. Walking up the stairs with ease. These are more than simple pleasures you can enjoy by living a healthy lifestyle. They're also proof that your body's ability to balance while doing a variety of things is pretty amazing.

Even when you're not thinking about it, your body is balancing—in everyday life, when you exercise, and during your active pastimes. Most people don't spend any time thinking about their balance until it's too late—when they actually fall or injure themselves. But balance isn't just a concern for the elderly who are more prone to falls (and the serious complications those falls can cause). Balance training is important for everyone, from athletes to casual exercisers. Good balance and a strong core go hand in hand, and a strong core usually means better posture, less back pain and improved performance during exercise and athletics. Plus, the better you balance the less likely you are to fall or injure yourself. If you haven't thought much about maintaining—or enhancing—your balance, now is as good a time as any to start. You've probably seen lots of fancy fitness gizmos that are designed to help you improve your balance—everything from a simple stability ball to balance boards, inflatable balance discs, BOSU trainers , foam rollers and more. While these items certainly add challenge to your workout, you really don't need ANY fancy equipment—not even a Wii Fit—to improve your balance.

In fact, you can turn just about any standard strength-training or flexibility exercise into one that does double duty by improving your balance while you work your muscles. With multi-tasking moves like these under your belt, that means you won't have to spend more time exercising just to improve your balance. Find out how! Change Your Base of Support. Balance is your ability to maintain your center of gravity over your base of support. When you're standing up, your legs are your base of support. The wider your legs are, the wider your base is and the easier it is to balance. The closer your legs are together, the narrower your base of support is and the harder it is to remain balanced. One of the easiest ways you can challenge (and therefore help improve) your balance during any standing exercise is to gradually narrow your base of support until your feet and legs are together while you perform your exercise. Bring your legs closer together while you do standing biceps curls , shoulder raises , squats or other upper body moves . Be sure to keep your abs pulled in tight and make sure you're not leaning backward as you perform your exercises.

Note: You can also widen or narrow your base of support while lying on or sitting on a stability ball to perform exercises, so try this progression when you're on the ball, too! Try It on One Leg. Once you've mastered doing an exercise with a narrow base of support, you're ready for the next challenge: balancing on a single leg. Instead of standing on both legs during some of the same moves above, try it on a single leg. Start by just lifting one heel (keeping your toes on the floor) while doing your upper body moves or working up to a single leg squat . As you get better, lift that foot off the ground completely. From there, you can play around with the position of your lifted leg—holding it behind you, in front of you, to the side or, for a greater challenge, moving that leg while you balance on the other leg and perform upper body movements. Just be sure to alternate legs to keep your strength and muscle tone balanced (no pun intended) between both sides of your body. Tip: You can also experiment with momentary one-leg balances. For example, on a forward lunge, lift your front or back leg for a moment each time your push up out of your lunge.

Watch my 6-Minute Hips, Glues & Thighs Workout video for a few examples of this technique. Close your eyes. Your sense of vision is a big part of the balance equation. It works hand in hand with the vestibular (inner ear) and proprioceptive systems to maintain balance and prevent falls. By staring at a single focal point (minimizing your head and eye movement), you'll balance more easily. If you move your gaze or take vision out of the equation altogether, it's harder to balance. This option is definitely a challenge—not something for beginners and not something you can do in any given situation. You'll want to make sure you're in a controlled environment and that your body is planted (don't attempt this while walking or hiking or moving through space). You can start by just standing up tall and closing your eyes without moving. Over time, combine the narrow base of support with some one-leg balances while closing your eyes. You might be surprised how challenging it is to simply stand with your eyes closed, let alone stand on one foot or while doing a biceps curl. Just be sure to use your best judgment and listen to your body when trying this technique. Safety first!

Now you know how to make balance training a forethought instead of an afterthought in your workouts—without spending more time or money on exercise. By using these techniques and really paying attention to your body as you exercise, you should notice improvements in your balance, coordination, posture, core strength and agility—ones that you can carry with you as you age, help you prevent spills and falls, and build your confidence when trying new and exciting fitness pursuits! You will earn 5 SparkPoints Page 1 of 1 Balance Problems After Traumatic Brain Injury Balance Problems after Traumatic Brain Injury Based on Research by TBI Model Systems People with traumatic brain injury (TBI) commonly report problems with balance. Between 30% and 65% of people with TBI suffer from dizziness and disequilibrium (lack of balance while sitting or standing) at some point in their recovery. Dizziness includes symptoms such as lightheadedness, vertigo (the sensation that you or your surroundings are moving), and imbalance. How bad your balance problem is depends on many factors: How serious your brain injury is. Where in your brain you were injured. Other injuries you had along with your brain injury.

For example, in a motor vehicle crash, you could suffer a TBI, cervical spine injury, and rib and leg fractures. All of these injuries will affect your ability to maintain your balance. Some medications used to manage the medical issues connected with the traumatic event or accident. Back to top What is balance? Balance is the ability to keep your body centered over your feet. The ability to maintain your balance is determined by many factors, including your physical strength and coordination, your senses, and your cognitive (thinking) ability. Most people can control their body movement within certain limits before losing their balance and needing to adjust their posture or take a step to keep from falling. Adjusting your posture or taking a step to maintain your balance before, during, and after movement is a complex process that is often affected after brain injury. Why is balance important? When you have poor balance you have a high risk of falling and having another brain injury or broken bone. Maintaining balance while sitting and standing is important for all of our daily activities, including self care and walking. Poor balance can keep you from taking part in many types of activities, such as sports, driving, and work.

Diagnosing balance problems Many different kinds of health care providers may be involved in diagnosing and treating balance problems, including physiatrists (physical medicine or rehabilitation doctor), neurologists, otolaryngologists (ENT), and neuro-ophthalmologists. The first place to start is by having your physician review your medications, since this is a common cause of balance problems. Physical and occupational therapists may also help identify and treat balance problems. Two commonly used tests for identifying balance problems are the Berg Balance Scale and the Dynamic Gait Index. Both of these tests can be used to track your progress as your balance improves with therapy and to provide information about potential risk of falls. Back to top What are common causes of balance problems after traumatic brain injury? Medications: A number of commonly used medications can cause dizziness, lightheadedness and decreased balance. These include some blood pressure medications, antibiotics, tranquilizers, heart medications, and anti-seizure medications. Ask your doctor if any of the medications you are taking may be causing dizziness or balance problems. A change in medications or dosages may improve the problem.

A drop in blood pressure when standing or sitting up suddenly (called postural hypotension) can make you feel lightheaded and dizzy. It may occur when you get up quickly from sitting on the toilet or a chair, or getting out of bed. Having your blood pressure taken while in a lying, sitting and standing position may also help diagnose blood pressure-related balance problems. Problems with eyesight (vision impairments): Eyesight is one of the key senses you need to keep your balance. Eyesight problems such as double vision, visual instability, partial loss of vision, and problems with depth perception can make your balance worse. Inner ear problems (vestibular impairments): Your inner ear contains many tiny organs that help you keep your balance (called the vestibular system/labyrinth). Your inner ear has three loop-shaped structures (semicircular canals) that contain fluid and have fine, hair-like sensors that monitor the rotation of your head. It also has other structures (otolith organs) that monitor linear movements of your head. These otolith organs contain crystals that make you sensitive to movement and gravity.

If your vestibular system is damaged from your head injury, you may have problems with balance, dizziness, or a sudden sensation that you?re spinning or that your head is spinning. Three types of vestibular impairments are: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common causes of vertigo. With trauma, the crystals in the inner ear can be moved out of place, making you sensitive to changes in gravity. BPPV is characterized by brief episodes of mild to intense vertigo. Symptoms are triggered by specific changes in head position, such as tipping your head up or down, and by lying down, turning over or sitting up in bed. You may also feel out of balance when standing or walking. Labyrinthine concussion or injury to the nerve to the vestibular system are also causes of vertigo and imbalance after brain injury. Traumatic endolymphatic hydrops occurs when there is a disruption of the fluid balance within the inner ear. When this happens, you may have periods of vertigo, imbalance and ringing in your ears that last for hours to days.

Problems with your ability to sense things (sensory impairments): For example, nerves in your feet send messages to your brain that help you keep your balance. If these nerves are damaged from your brain injury, your brain may not get the messages it needs. The brain may need to rely more on your eyesight and inner ear to keep your balance. Brainstem injury: A traumatic injury to the brainstem and cerebellum (parts of the brain that control movement) can make it hard for you to walk and maintain your balance. Leakage of inner ear fluid into the middle ear (called perilymph fistula) sometimes occurs after head injury. It can cause dizziness, nausea, and unsteadiness when walking or standing. It can get worse when you are more active and may get better with rest. Mental health issues: Sometimes people with brain injuries have anxiety, depression or a fear of falling. These conditions can cause or increase balance problems. Doctors call this psychogenic dizziness. Back to top Treatment options Balance problems can have many different causes, each one requiring a different treatment. Your doctor, physical and occupational therapists and/or other health care providers will work with you to understand and treat all the different causes.

Ways you can improve your balance: Increasing your strength and flexibility will help your balance. Specific exercises include stretches for your ankle and hip muscles or strengthening activities for your legs, such as mini-squats, toe- raisers, or standing leg lifts. Go to for more information about these exercises, or talk to your doctor or physical therapist. Find your limits in balance by moving your body over your feet as far as you can without lifting your feet. This will help you develop balance strategies to prevent losing your balance. You can also practice movements that allow you to transition from one position to another, such as going from sitting to standing, reaching above your head to get something off a shelf, or picking up something off the ground. Practice standing or walking in different conditions. For example, you can practice standing with your eyes closed to decrease your dependency on vision for balance or stand on a pillow to improve your ability to use vision for balance. Change how far apart your feet are and work on balance by bringing them closer together, in front of one another or even stand on one leg.

Practice activities that will improve your balance while walking, such as walking longer distances; walking and keeping up with someone else while carrying on a conversation; walking over different surfaces, such as on grass and sidewalks; and walking in crowded places such as the grocery store. Be cautious when working on your balance, and make sure you work at an appropriate level to avoid falling when no one is around. A physical or occupational therapist can help design a program that is safe for you to practice at home. BPPV is treated by using movements to relocate the crystals in your inner ear back to where they belong. To learn more about the treatment of BPPV, go to . How quickly can your balance improve? How quickly your balance problems improve depends on the extent of injury and your health status before your injury. A condition such as BPPV can be treated effectively in one or two treatment sessions. Injuries that involve many types of impairments can take weeks, months or years. Research shows: Most people with TBI are able to walk independently within three months of injury. Although most can return to walking, many continue to have problems with moving quickly and with balance needed to return to high-level activities such as running or sports.

With hard work, people with TBI can continue to improve their balance for many years after injury but balance problems are still identified more frequently in people with TBI than in people without TBI. References Katz DI, et al. Recovery of ambulation after traumatic brain injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2004; 85(6):865-9. McFayden BJ, et al. Modality-specific, multitask locomotor deficits persist despite good recovery after a traumatic brain injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2009; 90(9):1596-606. Maskell F, Chiarelli P, Isles R. Dizziness after traumatic brain injury: overview and measurement in the clinical setting. Brain Inj. 2006;20(3):293-305. Patla AE, Shumway-Cook A. Dimensions of mobility: defining the complexity and difficulty associated with community mobility. J Aging Phys Activity. 1999: 7: 7-19. Williams GP, Schache AG. Evaluation of a conceptual framework for retraining high-level mobility following traumatic brain injury: two case reports.

J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2010: 25(3): 164-72. Disclaimer This information is not meant to replace the advice from a medical professional. You should consult your health care provider regarding specific medical concerns or treatment. Source Our health information content is based on research evidence whenever available and represents the consensus of expert opinion of the TBI Model System directors. Authorship Balance Problems after TBI was developed by Michelle Peterson, PT, DPT, NCS, and Brian D. Greenwald, MD, in collaboration with the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center. Core Training Exercises For Better Balance and Strength By Carol Sorgen From the WebMD Archives Having a hard time lugging those groceries up the stairs? Feeling a bit wobbly when you get in and out of the shower? If you're slowly losing your balance and coordination, don't be surprised. It happens to all of us as we get older. But the latest fitness trend sweeping health clubs across the country just may help you keep your feet on the ground -- literally.

Balance, or core training , is not new, says Kevin Steele, PhD, an exercise physiologist and vice president of sports and marketing for 24 Hour Fitness, headquartered in San Ramon, Calif. "Physical therapists and athletic trainers have used these techniques for years." Now, though, gym rats everywhere are bouncing and wobbling their way to a stronger "core" -- as the muscles that surround your trunk are called. Without strong trunk muscles, you're more likely to suffer from chronic back pain , lose your balance and fall, or be more prone to injury when doing other workout routines. "Your core is the essence of everything you do, from your day-to-day activities, to your athletic pursuits," says Steven Ehasz, MES , CSCS, exercise physiologist and wellness coordinator for the University of Maryland Medical System. "It doesn't matter how strong your arms and legs are if the muscles they're attached to aren't equally as strong." A strong core is also responsible for your sense of balance. "Balance not only requires equilibrium, but also good stability of the core muscles and the joints, particularly the hip, knee , and ankle ," says Leigh Crews, spokesperson for the American Council on Exercise.

There are several ways to address balance and stability training, says Crews, including balance boards, stability balls, the Reebok Core Board, Bosu (which stands for "both sides up") balls, as well as yoga, and other forms of mind-body training and martial arts, such as Pilates and tai chi . Maintaining one's balance (or equilibrium, physical stability, or steadiness), is primarily coordinated by three systems, explains Gerry Green, director of the Fitness Center at Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J. The first is the vestibular or auditory system, located in the inner ear, which acts like a "carpenter's balance" to keep you level. The second balance coordinator is the proprioceptive system, which uses sensory nerves called proprioceptors that are located in the muscles, tendons, and joints. They give signals to the central nervous system , which gives you a kinesthetic sense, or an awareness of your body posture and spatial awareness. And finally, there is the visual system, which sends visual signals from the eyes to the brain about your body's position in relation to its surroundings.

Continued Your balance may be "off," says Green, for a number of reasons, including illness, injury, poor posture, muscle imbalances, or a weak core. The popularity of balance or core training can be seen in health clubs across the country, says Bill Howland, director of research for the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association in Boston. "The majority of clubs and fitness centers now offer some form of balance training," says Howland, who reiterates that the idea behind this activity is not new, but like yoga, seems to have found a new popularity. "As we're getting older, we're becoming less concerned with sculpting our body, and more concerned with staying active and functional," says Howland.

"With core training , your joints and muscles work in tandem, just the way they do in real life when, for example, you have to balance yourself while walking upstairs with bags of groceries in your arms." Balance aids, such as the Bosu Balance Trainer -- a vinyl dome that resembles a ball cut in half, with one side being flat and the other functioning as a platform on which to perform exercises such as push-ups and crunches -- requires a collaborative effort of major muscle groups, says Norris Tomlinson, national director of group exercise for Bally Total Fitness. With the Bosu ball, says Tomlinson, you can get the benefits of cardiovascular training, strength training , and balance training. "It's a much more efficient way of working out ," he says. You can buy balance balls and boards for home use, but Steven Ehasz suggests that it's better to work with a qualified trainer -- at least at first -- who can determine where your muscle imbalances are and plan a routine that addresses your specific weaknesses. While boards and balls are popular and may liven up your workout routine, you can work on your balance and core strength on your own, with no apparatus at all.

Simple yoga poses , such as the tree pose, can help improve balance and stability, says Leigh Crews, who adds that when practicing balance positions, remember to change the direction that you look in order to increase the challenge to your balance. You can also challenge your balance by standing on one foot and closing your eyes . Continued Exercises such as squats, lunges, step-ups for the lower body, and standing rows, shoulder presses, and other standing exercises for the upper body will also help develop balance, says Gerry Green, in addition to helping improve your posture. Once you get started with balance training, says IHRSA's Bill Howland, you'll be surprised at how quickly you take to it. "We were all doing a lot of these moves in grade-school phys ed," he says. "This is not rocket science. It's a simple, proven, and time-honored regimen." Originally published April 30, 2003. Medically updated April 15, 2004.

WebMD Feature Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD on November 07, 2006 Sources SOURCES:Kevin Steele, PhD, vice president of sports and marketing, 24 Hour Fitness, San Ramon, Calif. Steven Ehasz, MES, CSCS, exercise physiologist/wellness coordinator, University of Maryland Medical System, 410-683-2110. Leigh Crews, spokesperson, American Council on Exercise. Gerry Green, director of Fitness Center, Rider University, Lawrenceville, N.J. Bill Howland, director of research, International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association, Boston. VictoriaYoga.com. © 2003 WebMD, Inc. All rights reserved. Pagination Factors of Body Equilibrium & Balance | LIVESTRONG.COM Factors of Body Equilibrium & Balance by JEN YOUNG Last Updated: Aug 19, 2013 Jen Young Based in Washington, D.C., Jen Young is a certified personal trainer, performer and writer. She has written various articles for the PBS Adult Learning Service website. Young holds a Bachelors of Arts in radio, television and film from University of Southern Mississippi.

The delicate dance of body equilibrium and balance Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Sharon Mollerus Factors that affect equilibrium and balance in the body include breathing, vision, vestibular function, musculoskeletal alignment and proprioception. The eyes, vestibular system and proprioceptors of the neck read and adjust head placement in relation to the environment. The respiratory system, the musculoskeletal system and the proprioceptors of the feet and body influence the stability and equilibrium of the rest of the body. Breathing Breathing influences body equilibrium and balance in many ways. Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of CIA DE FOTO Breathing affects body equilibrium and balance in a number of ways. Relaxed deep breathing provides oxygen necessary for brain function and interaction with the sense organs that detect equilibrium and balance. Blockages in the nasal passageways may create spinal misalignment as the head shifts forward to open the airways. Tense diaphragm and/or abdominal muscles limit breathing to the upper lungs. This causes the center of gravity to shift the upper chest and the body to become top-heavy. Vision Vision detects the stability of a surface.

Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Nicholas Through peripheral and ambient vision, the brain senses the body’s movement, orientation in space and relationship to objects in the environment. Vision also detects the stability of a surface or object. For example, seeing a swaying rope bridge causes a different response in the body than seeing a sturdy pillared one. When the eyes focus on a steady object, the vestibular system of the inner ear can orient the head vertically, horizontally and spatially. This helps stabilize the body. Vestibular Function The vestibular system of the inner ear senses head movement. Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of David Goehring The vestibular system includes the organs within the inner ear. It coordinates with the visual and auditory systems to sense direction and speed of head movement. A fluid called endolymph flows through the three canals of the inner ear as the head tilts and shifts. Tiny hairlike cells send impulses to the brain as the endolymph bends each hair. Disorders of vestibular function can cause vertigo or difficulty balancing on unstable surfaces. Dehydration, food allergies and head/neck trauma can cause vestibular dysfunction. Musculoskeletal Alignment Musculoskeletal alignment affects body equilibrium.

Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Steve Jurvetson Balance within muscle groups and alignment of the skeletal system affect body equilibrium and balance. Small shifts of bones can affect the whole skeletal system. When the bite of the jaw is off or one leg is longer than the other, the entire spine compensates for the misalignment. Opposing muscle groups stabilize the joints of the body through the balance of strength and tension. If one muscle is tight and its opposite is weak, the joint is pulled in the direction of tightness. Proprioception Proprioceptors adjust the toes and feel to stabilize the body. Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of D. Sharon Pruitt Proprioceptors are reflexive organs within muscles and tendons that response to changes in position of the body or limbs. Muscle spindles cause contraction of muscle fibers in response to these changes. Golgi tendon organs cause the tendons to lengthen. The most sensitive areas of proprioception are the neck and the feet. The proprioceptors of the neck work with the vestibular system to adjust head position. Proprioceptors of the feet spread or contract the toes or roll the bones of the feet laterally to keep the body upright. Related Searches Lose Weight.

Feel Great Change your life with MyPlate by LIVESTRONG.COM GOAL Gain 2 pounds per week Gain 1.5 pounds per week Gain 1 pound per week Gain 0.5 pound per week Maintain my current weight Lose 0.5 pound per week Lose 1 pound per week Lose 1.5 pounds per week Lose 2 pounds per week GENDER Keeping Your Balance After Stroke Keeping Your Balance After Stroke Updated:Mar 5,2015 Excerpted and adapted from "Keeping Your Balance, Everyday Survival," Stroke Connection Magazine July/August 2003 (Last science update March 2013)) About 40 percent of stroke survivors have serious falls within a year of their stroke. In a study published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association, women stroke survivors who reported difficulty maintaining their balance while dressing were seven times more likely to fall than women who didn’t report balance problems. In addition, overall balance problems, dizziness or a “spinning” sensation as the result of stroke were associated with a five-fold increase in risk of falls. People with balance problems often benefit from physical therapy. Your first step is to get a therapy prescription from your physician.

Physical therapist Sapan Palkhiwala works with stroke survivors at the Long Beach Memorial Balance and Vestibular Center in California. He says your body uses a combination of three systems to stay balanced: vision, vestibular and somatosensory. The vestibular system helps by monitoring changes in your head movements with respect to the pull of gravity. It includes two parts: the central system (housed in your brain) and the peripheral system (in your inner ear). These systems are connected by the vestibular nerve. Strokes are more likely to affect the central system. Some strokes affect the brainstem, and if this occurs, the vestibular system is injured. Symptoms of a brainstem stroke can be dizziness, vertigo causing imbalance. With the somatosensory system, your body uses information it receives from the pressure of your feet on the floor, and your ankle positioning, to help balance your body. The Balance and Vestibular Center in Long Beach has a machine called the Balance Master. You use this machine by standing on moving platforms linked to a computer. The machine identifies which of your body’s balance systems are not working properly.

The test can pinpoint what muscles need to be strengthened in order to help your balance, and can determine if you need vestibular rehabilitation and exercises to help you deal with dizziness. Sapan says a majority of stroke survivors have balance problems because one side is stronger than the other. He encourages survivors to build up their affected side by using it in daily activities, such as reaching for a glass of water. Sapan uses constraint-induced movement therapy (CI therapy), which forces survivors to use their affected side while restraining their unaffected side. He also has survivors practice getting up from a lying position on the floor. This increases confidence that they can get up if they fall, which reduces their fear of falling. Sapan recommends a balance exercise that survivors can do at home. The caregiver can bring a chair into a corner of a room. While the survivor stands in the corner, he or she can hold on to the back of the chair and practice moving shoulders and hips together from side to side and then forward to backward. This exercise also forces the survivor to use and strengthen his affected side. If the vestibular system is affected by the stroke, causing a “spinning sensation” (vertigo) or dizziness, exercises can also reduce these symptoms.

For example, Sapan has survivors fixate on an object with their eyes while moving their heads in different directions. Dr. Diemha Hoang, a physician at the center, explains, “This exercise may make the survivor feel more dizzy at first, but it trains the brain to accept the discomfort so that ultimately the symptoms are less. We also have the survivor repeatedly perform other activities or movements that temporarily worsen their symptoms of dizziness or vertigo so that their brain can adapt and thus lessen the symptoms.” If a stroke affects your vision, you can learn to compensate. If you have a visual field cut so that you cannot see anything out of the left side of both eyes, you can practice scanning the room with the right side of your eye while turning your head. Sapan says with the help of a therapist, survivors can also practice balancing on shifting surfaces like foam, grass, sand or seat cushions. Since your feet are not on a flat surface, you can’t use your feet to reference yourself. You are forced to use vision to balance yourself, thus strengthening this system. Stroke survivor, Roy Breneman from Long Beach, Calif., had balance difficulties after his stroke in 1996.

His left side was affected and he walked on the side of his left foot, so he needed a leg brace and orthotic shoes. He fell several times, once in 1999 when he broke his hip and again in 2001 when he broke the shoulder on his affected side. His doctor recommended tendon transfer surgery as an option. In Jan. 2003, Roy had the surgery. “The surgery greatly helped my balance. I walk flatly on my foot now and do not need a leg brace to walk. I can also wear any style of shoes I want to without having pain in my foot.” Surgery is the most extreme treatment for gait instability. It is not intended for the majority of people with balance problems. Preventing Falls Experts at the Long Beach Memorial Medical Center Balance and Vestibular Center give these suggestions for preventing falls at home: Use nightlights in bedrooms, bathrooms and hallways Make sure light switches are easily accessible Use bathmats with suction cups and non-adhesive strips in the tub Sit on a bench or stool in the shower and use a hand-held showerhead Don’t walk around in stocking feet.

Wear shoes or slippers that fit snugly Remove throw rugs and secure area rugs with double-sided tape Use a sturdy step stool with a handrail when reaching items up high and store frequently used items at waist level Review medications with your doctor as some may cause dizziness and imbalance If you feel lightheaded when first sitting or standing up, sit down and stay seated until your head clears, then stand up slowly Ask for help. If needed, a caregiver or family member should be ready, willing and able to help out Slow down and take all the time you need when walking. There is no need to hurry, and it may be safer to go more slowly Related Links: Testing Balance Disorders | Sales Contacts in the United States Testing Balance Disorders How you maintain your balance is a complex process that relies on information from your senses and coordinated movements from different parts of your body. How the balance control mechanism works is discussed on this web site under How To Control Your Balance . Because of the complexity of balance control, diagnosing a balance problem and its specific cause or causes can be difficult. The good news is that there are a number of medical tests that can be very beneficial in accurately determining why you have a balance problem.

To determine the cause of a balance problem, you will first be asked to describe your problems and symptoms and will be given a physical examination. Based on your descriptions and exam results, your doctor will develop a working diagnosis. Depending on what he or she determines, your doctor may then order tests designed to confirm the diagnosis. The test results also determine how key components of your balance systems are functioning. There is a possibility that your problem does not have one specific cause. If no single cause is identified, your doctor may also use the test results to design an exercise-based treatment program that can maximize your functional abilities and minimize disruptive symptoms. Physical Examination While most balance disorders are caused by inner ear abnormalities, many balance disorders are caused by central nervous system abnormalities, cardiovascular problems or both. There are specific observational tests that can help your doctor figure out what is causing your balance problems. Assessment of Eye and Head Movement Functions: The ability to coordinate movements of your eyes and head is essential to seeing objects in your environment clearly while you are in motion during such tasks as walking, running, or driving a car. To test your eye movement control, you may be asked to shift your direction of gaze from one object to another as quickly as you can.

You may also be asked to look as far as you can to the left, right, up, and down while facing directly forward. To test eye and head coordination, your physician may observe how accurately you can stay focused on an object while shaking your head. Assessment of Cerebellar Function: This includes specific physical examinations to evaluate your cerebellum, the part of your brain that is essential to your ability to control balance and movements. When your cerebellum has been damaged you can still move, but your movements become jerky, making it harder to get your hands or legs to stop moving just where and when you want them to. Your doctor can test how well your cerebellum is working by asking you to reach out and touch points with your index fingertip, tap your hand rhythmically, and move your arms and legs accurately. Assessment of Walking Function: Your doctor can learn about your balance and movement control by observing how well you walk. He or she may ask you to walk in a straight line without veering from side to side and then quickly and accurately turn and walk in the opposite direction without hesitating or stumbling.

A more challenging walking task is called “heel to toe” walking, where each new step is placed directly in front the preceding step. Tests The type of medical tests you need will vary depending on what your physician suspects is the problem. Because there are so many possible causes, not all patients will require all tests. For example, if you think you might be at risk for falling, but your symptoms and exam results do not point to a specific cause, your physician might order a balance screening test, which will determine whether your balance is functionally impaired. If balance problems are detected, further tests would be warranted to pin point your risk factors and accurately identify their causes. On the other hand, if your symptoms and exam results are suggestive of a specific cause, your doctor may order tests designed to confirm a diagnosis and suggest the best course of treatment. Some common tests that may be ordered for someone with a balance disorder are described below. Audiometric (Hearing) Tests: Your doctor may order hearing tests as the hearing and motion sensing parts of your inner ears are sometimes both affected by the same disease. Basic hearing tests are designed to determine how well you can sense very faint sound at different frequencies, as well as how well you can comprehend speech.

Nystagmography Tests: This is a series of tests designed to document your ability to follow visual objects with your eyes and how your eyes respond to some types of information from your vestibular system. To monitor the movements of your eyes, your doctor may place electrodes around your eyes (electronystagmography–ENG) or may use an infrared video camera (IR video nystagmography). Eye movement tests are useful, because some patients with balance system problems have problems seeing clearly when moving, or they get the erroneous sense that objects are moving. Occular Motility: You will be asked to follow with your eyes objects that jump from place to place or move smoothly. Your doctor will be looking for any slowness or inaccuracies in your ability to follow visual targets. Optokinetc Nystagmus: You will be asked to view a large, continuously moving visual image to see if your eyes can appropriately track these movements. Positional Nystagmus: Your doctor will move your head and body into various positions to make sure that there are no inappropriate movements of your eyes when your head is in different positions. Caloric Test: Your doctor will stimulate both of your inner ears (usually one at a time) with warm and then cold water.

He or she will be monitoring the movements of your eyes to make sure that both your ears can sense this stimulation. Computerized Dynamic Posturography: This is a series of tests that measure how well you are able to maintain your balance under different conditions. You will be asked to stand as steadily as possible on a platform inside a small booth. The platform will have sensors that measure how well you maintain your balance as the walls of the booth move around you and the surface you are standing on moves under your feet. The tests will be conducted with your eyes open and with your eyes closed. You will be supported by a safety harness in case you become unsteady. Some of the tests are designed to mimic different conditions you encounter in every day life. Other tests are designed to determine the source of your balance problem. The computerized tests are able to isolate the different sensory information you rely on to maintain your balance. The test results provide a better understanding of your balance problem and can point to possible causes. This allows your doctor to focus on the abnormal system. Rotational Chair: You will be seated on a rotating chair placed in a darkened room with electrodes on your eyes to measure their movements.

The chair will rotate back and forth at different speeds to see how your eyes move in response to rotations when you cannot see anything. You will also be asked to keep your eyes on a small light while the chair rotates. You will be given mental tasks during these tests to keep you alert, because your eyes will not move as accurately if you get drowsy. Some laboratories also test your responses to rotation with your eyes open and viewing visual patterns. Imaging: Well known tests like CAT scans and MRI are now so sensitive that your doctor can actually see the tiny structures of the balance organs in your inner ear, as well as the nerves that connect these organs to the brain. If your doctor wants to make certain that there are no structural problems within the balance organs or with the nerves connecting them to the brain, he or she may order an imaging test.

Question: Which particular part of the body helps one to keep ones balance?
Answer: THE INNER EAR